In disturbing news, a woman was attacked so violently on a New York subway train it resulted in the fracturing of her spine.

The victim was on Manhattan’s E-train when she was verbally attacked by a male commuter who took issue with another woman kissing her on the cheek. It was not reported whether the women were partners or just friends, either way, the attacker took offence, calling the victim a dyke, and continuing with other homophobic slurs.

Attempting to diffuse the situation, the woman walked further down the train away from her verbal abuser. He followed her, punching her in the back of the head when she was not expecting it and then throwing her to the ground. Either the impact of the punch or of the woman’s head hitting the floor was so serious it resulted in the fracturing of her spine. Her attacker fled the train at the next stop.

A news report by ABC7 featured video footage of the New York subway assailant released by police. He was described as being between 50 and 60 years-old, 5’11” and 220 lbs.

In similar news, a series of homophobic subway attacks in Vancouver have suggested a serial offender targeting gay couples.

A gay male married couple were boarding the SkyTrain in Vancouver, Canada when out of nowhere a stranger kicked one of them. The attacker then released a string of obscenities while still threatening violence to one of them. Another passenger intervened to help the husband of the victim pull the aggressor away but the husband was punched in the face. The aggressor left the train at the next station but not before spitting at the couple and kicking one of them in the stomach.

When police released CCTV footage of the man leaving the train in an effort to identify him, another gay male couple came forward to say they too had been attacked by the same person.